I have more than 20 years experience in non-profit and government management. Like the other experienced members of the DC Interim Executive Network, I have spent decades writing grants, generating reports, developing budgets, and drafting policies and procedures for every aspect of running a non-profit organizations. We have managed difficult employees, unhappy clients and concerned community members. We have also worked for Boards, served on Boards and written Board by-laws and policies.
And all of this experience is why most small non-profit organizations could not afford to hire my colleagues or me as a permanent executive director. Instead, many smaller non-profits hire executive directors at the early part of their career arc. Often coming directly from program, development or direct services, these new executives have a strong commitment to their organization’s mission and programs, but little if any experience with budgets, human resources, sound fiscal management and staff development.
For these smaller organizations, using an interim executive director as a “bridge” between outgoing and incoming executive directors is a smart investment. Engaging an interim director means that, for several months, the organization will be able to access the skills, training and experience of a senior non-profit leader. During this period, interim executive directors will review existing policies and practices and recommend best practices for management and staff. Because of their own Board experience, an interim executive director can also help a small, busy or inexperienced Board with recommendations for governance policies, report templates and financial procedures.
The truth is there is generally very little, if any, budget impact when hiring an interim executive director. The non-profit’s budget already contains funds for the executive director’s salary, benefits and FICA contributions. Most of DCIEN’s professional interim executive directors will adjust their hours so that their fees fit into that budget line. Typically, they can commit 2-3 days a week to the organization, because unlike a permanent executive director, they are not as engaged with external and non-management activities.
Even the smallest budget may provide the funding to allow any organization to make the best of any transition by hiring an interim director with the years of experience they could never hire full-time.
